Lake Mary Cemetery Group Sues Leader

LAKE MARY — The Lake Mary Cemetery Association has sued its chairman, Commissioner Colin Keogh, for the return of more than $21,000 the group says he converted for his own use.

Keogh denied he took money from the association and said Monday the funds are invested in certificates of deposit, but could not remember at which bank they were deposited.

Cemetery Association Treasurer Evelyn Rice said she called several area banks, none of which had accounts listed in the organization's name. Rice said the $21,340 is all the money the association had, other than a small checking account.

Rice said members of the non-profit organization had not considered seeking criminal prosecution.

Keogh, 29, said the suit, filed Friday, resulted from his unpopular support of former Mayor Walter E. Sorenson, who was fined and censured by Gov. Bob Graham two weeks ago for violating a public trust.

Keogh said he has experienced pressure from a number of people the entire two years of his term.

He announced several weeks ago he would not seek a second term when his term as a city commissioner expires this year.

''But back when I started the mayor's defense fund I had all kinds of threats saying they would get me somehow,'' Keogh said, referring to a number of people who opposed his fund-raising efforts to help Sorenson fight the charges.

Sorenson was censured for using city vehicles for personal business, making long-distance phone calls from city hall and receiving $900 advance expense money without city commission approval.

Rice said she received a notice in January from the First Federal Bank of Seminole that the organization's account where the certificates were deposited had been closed but said she didn't tell anyone.

''I didn't want to drag the Keogh and Gleason names through the mud,'' she said. The late Homer Gleason was Keogh's grandfather and former association chairman for the cemetery, which dates back to 1887.

But when the association's checking account was running low several months ago, Rice said Keogh was asked about the money and he gave them about $1,000. The suit states that association members made repeated inquiries about the location and status of the money, which the suit says Keogh ignored. Keogh said he was approached only one time three weeks ago by Attorney Frank Whigham, who said the association may file a suit.